David Benavidez has no shortage of HUGE fights on his radar. In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Jose Benavidez Sr. makes it clear that David still wants the biggest names at 175lbs including Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez has previously said those are two fights he wants to make as he pursues more titles and major challenges. But there’s another name that could make things very interesting: Andy Ruiz Jr. Jose discusses the possibility of an all-Mexican showdown between Benavidez and the former heavyweight champion, along with David’s plans across multiple divisions. And with a potential Jai Opetaia showdown also building after the pair came face-to-face following Opetaia’s latest victory, Benavidez has some massive options ahead.
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Umar Dzambekov will show where he stacks up in the light heavyweight division on Friday night.
Dzambekov faces Artem Brusov in a 10-round main event at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. The bout will stream on UFC Fight Pass.
Dzambekov, 12-0 (8 KOs), a 27-year-old from Austria, now residing in Los Angeles, is eager to mix it up with the top names in the division. Marvin Somodio, his trainer, believes this fight will tell a lot about where he is in the division.
“We will find out after this fight,” Somodio told BoxingScene. “Based on training, he can fight the top guys right now.”
This is Dzambekov's first 10-round fight. It is also his first time main-eventing a fight card in the United States. With that comes added pressure, which is difficult to predict something that is unpredictable in how a fighter will adapt to the situation.
“It is different in the gym, everything changes when you go to different places, especially in front of a crowd,” Somodio said. “The mental part is the thing that can affect the fighter's ability.”
Brusov, 13-1 (12 KOs), is a Russian power-puncher training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 34-year-old Brusov suffered a loss in 2023 to Atif Oberlton, but returned in May to stop Wilson Santana. Somodio shared that Dzambekov has the traits of an elite fighter, furthering what experience grants you.
“Once they have experience, then you can make adjustments,” Somodio said.
In a division that is top-heavy with names like Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, David Benavidez and David Morrell, it would take a lot more ability to stand out than usual.
Somodio feels that his fighter would measure up to the competition well.
“Umar is a complete fighter,” Somodio said. “His skills, his heart, and he is a light heavyweight who moves like a lighter fighter.”
